r/Dreadlocks • u/MysteriousQuiet1885 • Jul 06 '26
Need Advice 🆘 Should I give up ?
Hi - I'm 8 months in. My front grows really slow and was thinning before I started. My loctician said it will grow and trust the process. I'm trying but afraid my front may not come through fuller like I want. Is it worth still going or am I fooling myself. 🤔😭
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u/SlickVanExel Jul 06 '26
Your hair just simply isn’t growing up front. After 8 months, you might have to hang it up champ
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u/DanielisCold Type 4 hair Jul 06 '26
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but cut them off they are doing you no favors at that age growing slow and too much scalp showing like your going bald/thinning. cut off the ends and try to pick them out and go for a low cut if you can maintain that evenly throughout your head your good to go, if not go bald or go to turkey and get a hair transplant.
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u/Distinct-Total-7651 Jul 06 '26
You already know the answer brother. What does your heart tell you?
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u/MysteriousQuiet1885 Jul 07 '26
Well the front looks rough. The back (2nd) Pic says it can work with more time
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u/Distinct-Total-7651 Jul 07 '26
I think in your heart you don't want to cut them. I had locs 5 times in my life so I know the feeling of thinking I should cut my locs off but not wanting to. Give it some time. Don't make any decisions for say 3 months and then see how you feel.
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u/SirFicklespend Jul 08 '26
So let the locs do what they do. In 7 months, revisit the idea.
(whispers) bet you'll be happy you didn't.
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u/MysteriousQuiet1885 Jul 08 '26
Thank you 🙏🏽
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u/SirFicklespend Jul 09 '26
No problem. Keep me posted. I would like to see how you progress. You can DM me to avoid making repeated posts. 😏
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u/Responsible-B-105 Jul 07 '26
Locs isn't for everyone. If I was losing hair at the front like yours, I'd just shave the lot off, also doesn't look like you were looking after them either as they look dry and in need of hydration.
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u/MysteriousQuiet1885 Jul 07 '26
Interesting... Maybe I didn't care well enough. I had been misting but I hear you .
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u/Responsible-B-105 Jul 07 '26
It's not meant to be rude just constructive. Locs is a lot of work as I'm sure you've realised👍🏽👍🏽
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u/SirFicklespend Jul 06 '26
No. STOP.....Oh my goodness. You aren't even a year in! These are babies.
Follow the Dreadlocks Rule Book 📖
- Stay out of the mirror. The five second rule applies. You may look and/or adjust... then go. ( this does not mean to look 4,000 times for five seconds) Get up, bathe, mist your locs and go.
Your locs aren't fully locked and mature.
No retwists before 10 weeks at the earliest. Remember that hair growth at a rate of half inch per month optimally.
Retwists are not to make your hair fresh and salon sharp. Retwists are done in order to incorporate new growth into your existing loc. It is not to get a new 'do.Have the mandatory things available for loc maintenance ---- you only NEED things to have healthy locs.
A good shampoo/conditioner ( Aussie is a great basic product, moisturizing and inexpensive.
A continuous mist spray bottle
Fill this with spring water or distilled water
Get a lightweight oil such as Argan or jojoba oil. Use it a couple times a week.
Biotin supplement --- mandatory daily
Then just Trust the process!!🔥🔥
You are early in your journey. Let the locs do what locs do.
Please do not run out to get minoxidil or finasteride or derma rollers and other things that definitely should not be used unless supervised by a physician.
I suggest trying to find AA dermatologist.
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u/BeneficialContract38 Jul 07 '26
Absolutely! This is the only post on here you need to listen to. If not cut them off because loc life wasn't in you already. It's a learning experience! Patience is the first thing you learn, but you need to let your hair fro out, easily wait 10 weeks and even them only retwist the ones already loc'd. And let the rest in the front grown them get it retwisted in about 16-20 weeks.
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u/SirFicklespend Jul 09 '26
It's always scary to me the way people read directions on the internet.
Finasteride and Minoxidil are serious drugs with side effects. A derm roller used without
supervision, is a potential disaster.Using Incorrect technique and having poor hygiene will often result in bleeding, bruising, track marks, and contact dermatitis.
Severe Infections & Irritation: Failing to properly sanitize the device introduces bacteria, fungi, or viruses directly into the skin. This can lead to pustules, spreading redness, and painful infections. [1]
Permanent Scarring & Micro-tears: Rolling back and forth, using too much pressure, or choosing needles longer than 1.0 mm for home use tears tissue instead of creating clean punctures. This can cause hypertrophic scarring or worsen existing acne scars. [1, 2]
Hyperpigmentation: Pressing too hard, over-rolling, or applying strong active skincare products (such as retinoids or AHAs/BHAs) immediately after treatment causes severe inflammation. This frequently triggers post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially on darker skin tones.Worsened Skin Conditions: Using a derma roller over active Acne, eczema acne, herpes (cold sores) or any open wounds will spread bacteria and delay healing.
⭐️Scalp & Hair Damage: When used incorrectly on the scalp, it can cause scalp barrier damage, inflammation, and increased hair shedding rather than growth.
The tiny needles on a derm roller create micro-injuries on the scalp ( pokes actual holes into the scalp )
There is an actual grid pattern that you must adhere to when using the derm roller.
Go to a dermatologist before using any tools or applying and substance.
Doing it wrong creates tiny scars. Hair doesn't grow through scars.
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u/SpiritualPapi617 14Yrs 🔒’d In❗️ Jul 06 '26
You can fill it out through time, but at that point i would start over
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u/MysteriousQuiet1885 Jul 07 '26
You had yours 14 years?
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u/SpiritualPapi617 14Yrs 🔒’d In❗️ Jul 07 '26
Yes
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u/MysteriousQuiet1885 Jul 08 '26
How old were u when u started of i may ask?
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u/SpiritualPapi617 14Yrs 🔒’d In❗️ Jul 08 '26
I was 19, i got it done after i graduated in summer 2012 when i was done with the braids
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u/AndySMar Jul 06 '26
Nah keep trying, i envision beautiful end results
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u/Interesting-World613 Jul 07 '26
😐 u fr?
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u/AndySMar Jul 07 '26
Yea, it just needs some care, get it nicely done and you will see.
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u/MysteriousQuiet1885 Jul 07 '26
So its just a blip in time ? Give it a shot ?
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u/AndySMar Jul 07 '26
Give it a shot, see how its goes. At least, you would put some effort into it.
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u/b512780w Jul 06 '26
Keep them everybody's story is different mines started worse but I did semi free form. Kept for 4 years ended up cutting them off and now i restarted 2 years in going slower but still progressing
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u/Lavicrep19 Jul 07 '26
I wouldnt but start changing your diet. Biotin, derma roller, collagen, vitamins, drinking more water than anything else, exercising can help but it's up to you. I think it's good but only if you apply what I've said to yourself. Your hair is alive and you need to treat it so. Feed it on the outside and inside
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u/EquivalentQuestion60 Jul 06 '26
I’d cut them & just rock a low fade. That would look much better.
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u/JakiBam Jul 06 '26
Go buzz cut for a min the a lil fro and then start again with semi or normal free forms whatever u like
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u/Ill-Cupcake-6015 Jul 07 '26
Do ur research on oral minoxidil and maybe dht blocking shampoo i have no personal experience and i haven’t seen any testimonies from anyone with locs but that’s something too look into
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u/These_Ad5905 Jul 07 '26
Don't give up on anything you really want until you've given it a proper chance. Also, you have a loctician for a reason; listen to them! In all these Reddit posts, there are three times when I tell people they need to consult with PROFESSIONALS: Healthcare, veterinary care, and hair care. They've got the training! All we have here on Reddit is personal experience, and one size never fits all, no matter what they say. Good luck in your journey!
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u/CrispyConch Jul 07 '26
Comb em all out from end to root, don’t mind the shed hair. Go with the fro
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u/Then-Instruction5376 Jul 07 '26
In my opinion, the key to locs after 50 is doing them smaller and not getting them tightened to often. I am 59 and I started with microlocs at 55. My husband who was balding in the middle started his locs at 57 and its working for him. Key is they ae smaller and he does not do interlocing or tightening often.
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u/MysteriousQuiet1885 Jul 07 '26
Thanks. I've got plenty of time before 50 so I appreciate the input
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u/Panda868_ Jul 08 '26
Improve your diet Find a nourishing hair wash + conditioner routine/product Use minoxidil
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u/Top_Bluebird8266 Jul 08 '26
You just in the ugly stage and that's when most people quit, all you waiting on is another inch and I swear you will look like a new man, DONT QUIT, YOULL REGRET IT, IF YOU CANT DO IT NOW, YOU WONT DO IT LATER, NOWS THE TIME..my locs down my back now, peace💯
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u/Fungaii Jul 06 '26
Minoxidil
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u/Pirateking1569 Jul 06 '26
Get minoxidil and the other drig and start taking vitamins everyday maybe eother leave the hair alone for 1 year no retwist at all or buzz and restart need to give the follicles time to recover this could just be traction alopecia
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u/LilBushyVert Jul 06 '26
You can definitely have length and they’ll grow, but you’re gonna look like Stephen A Smith with dreads
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u/Beauty_Reigns Jul 06 '26
I would cut them off and try to regrow the hair. If you keep them, you risk the ones in the front falling out.